BREAKING: Gifty Oware-Mensah’s trial continues as court rejects suspension request
The Accra High Court has rejected a request by lawyers representing Gifty Oware-Mensah to suspend her criminal trial pending an appeal against an earlier ruling that she must provide a list of witnesses.
The decision was delivered on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, during a case management conference. Under standard criminal trial procedures, the prosecution is required to disclose all evidence it plans to use, while the defence must indicate any potential witnesses when requested.
Oware-Mensah’s legal team, led by Gary Nimako-Marfo, argued that the directive violated her constitutional right to the presumption of innocence, a fundamental principle of Ghana’s criminal justice system. They have since appealed to the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the ruling.
While awaiting the outcome of the appeal, the defence asked the High Court to halt proceedings, but the request was denied. A second application to suspend the trial, linked to another pending appeal on the same matter, was also filed.
Additionally, the lawyers requested that the trial judge refer a constitutional question to the Supreme Court, a move that was likewise declined. An appeal has been lodged against this refusal, accompanied by a renewed application to pause the trial.
The court noted that not all parties had been properly served with documents related to the latest application. Consequently, the case has been adjourned to April 15, 2026, to allow for proper service.
Background
Gifty Oware-Mensah faces allegations linked to the creation of ghost names in the National Service Secretariat (NSA) database, reportedly resulting in financial losses exceeding GH¢38 million to the state.
She was formally charged on October 22, 2026, with five offenses, including willfully causing financial loss to the state, theft, money laundering, and abuse of public office for personal gain.
Prosecutors claim that during her tenure, Oware-Mensah created approximately 9,934 fictitious National Service personnel and allegedly misappropriated the monthly allowances intended for them.
Attorney General Dominic Ayine has stated that these actions led to government losses of over GH¢38 million.
